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Latvia issues innovative collector coin “The Earth”

March 2, 2017 – Latvijas Banka has issued a new 5 euro collector coin “The Earth”, innovative and unique from the technical and design point of view. The collector coin “The Earth” is made of translucent perlucor with a silver outer ring. The symbolic Earth at the centre of the coin points to its place in the system of human values and its existential integrity. The jewel-like Earth is enclosed by a diaphanous veil representing the Universe where the planet Earth is floating as an island of life.

The author of the coin’s graphic design making a debut in coin art is architect M. Kalnins. The artist’s original idea of a translucent coin came out as top winner at Latvijas Banka's competition of innovative euro coins in 2015. The material used is perlucor, an extremely innovative ceramic material with extraordinary mechanical, chemical and thermal resistance and excellent optical properties. It is used in laser, military and medical equipment engineering, optical applications and elsewhere.

The coin has been struck by “UAB Lietuvos monetu kalykla” (Lithuania). The two-sided diaphanous veil of perlucor is enclosed by an outer ring of silver. A curved image of the Earth, made of silver and featuring geophysical map of the world in colour print, is at the centre.

The collector coin “The Earth” is legal tender in the Republic of Latvia, yet its release in circulation is unlikely, for by nature collector coins are works of art enjoying high demand from the numismatic community and other interested parties. The coin’s maximum mintage is limited to 5000.

As of 22 December 2016, the coin is on sale at Latvijas Banka Cashier’s Offices (K. Valdemara iela 1B, Riga and Teatra iela 3 in Liepaja). It can also be reserved via the new collector coin and other numismatic product online reservation service of Latvijas Banka under the Banknotes and Coins Section of Latvijas Banka website. The most important advantage of the innovative service is the opportunity for customers to buy new collector coins and different numismatic products offered online by Latvijas Banka at the most convenient time and without waiting in lines. It is most likely to suit the needs of customers, e.g. from regions, who are busy on the initial days of new coin issuance or who cannot visit the Cashier’s Offices of Latvijas Banka due to other reasons. If the demand for collector coins is high, as has been the case previously, the coin reservation, assisted by the service, proceeds very quickly.

The information about collector coins available from Latvijas Banka Cashier’s Offices is provided at this link. This site shows that a vast range of thematically and artistically diverse coins are available.

The activities with regard to coin art in the coming year will proceed under the sign of Latvia’s centenary and promise to be versatile in terms of themes and design solutions.